Poker Hands Ranked in Order

See also: Beginner’s guide to poker | Poker terms (A-Z)

Note: Card rank order is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

A royal flush is the best possible hand in poker. It’s an ace high straight flush. Example: A-K-Q-J-10 all of hearts.

A straight flush is a five-card straight, all in the same suit. Example: 10-9-8-7-6 all of hearts.

Four of a kind, or quads, are four cards of equal value. Example: Four aces.

A full house contains a three of a kind of one value and a pair of another value. Example: A-A-A-K-K.

A flush is any 5 cards, all of the same suit. Example: K-10-8-7-5 all of clubs.

A straight is any 5 cards of sequential value. Example: 10-9-8-7-6 with different suits.

Three of a kind is three cards of the same value. Example: Three aces.

A two pair is a pair of one value and a pair of another value. Example: Two aces and two kings.

A pair is two cards of the same rank. Example: Two aces.

When you don’t have any of the above, your highest card plays. If two or more players hold the highest card, a kicker comes into play. Example: Aces